Moderna vs AstraZeneca

Moderna and AstraZeneca are two pharmaceutical companies at the forefront of the race to develop and distribute effective COVID-19 vaccines. Both companies have seen their stocks experience significant fluctuations in value as news regarding vaccine efficacy, distribution, and safety concerns have emerged. Moderna's mRNA technology has garnered attention for its potential to create lasting immunity, while AstraZeneca's more traditional approach has faced scrutiny over rare but serious side effects. Investors are closely monitoring both stocks as they navigate the complex landscape of the global pandemic.

Moderna or AstraZeneca?

When comparing Moderna and AstraZeneca, different investors may prioritize various metrics based on their investment strategies and goals. So, ask yourself what type of investor you are. This will guide you in determining which metrics are most important for your investment decision between Moderna and AstraZeneca.

Dividend Investors:

Dividend investors look for stable and growing income streams, using dividend metrics to assess potential investments. A company's dividend yield essentially measures the size of its dividend relative to the total market value of the company. Moderna has a dividend yield of -%, while AstraZeneca has a dividend yield of 1.89%. Beyond the yield itself, considering the growth and sustainability of these dividends is also crucial. Moderna reports a 5-year dividend growth of 0.00% year and a payout ratio of 0.00%. On the other hand, AstraZeneca reports a 5-year dividend growth of 0.42% year and a payout ratio of 69.29%.

Value Investors:

Value investors focus on financial metrics to determine a stock's intrinsic value compared to its market value. The Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio links stock price to a company's earnings per share, with Moderna P/E ratio at -3.75 and AstraZeneca's P/E ratio at 37.47. Another crucial valuation metric is the Price-to-Book (P/B) Ratio, which compares stock price with book value per share. Moderna P/B ratio is 1.88 while AstraZeneca's P/B ratio is 6.11.

Growth Investors:

Growth investors prioritize metrics indicative of a company's expansion potential. Focusing on top-line growth, Moderna has seen a 5-year revenue growth of 10.71%, while AstraZeneca's is 0.70%. Return on Equity (ROE) measures how effectively a company uses equity investment to generate earnings, with Moderna's ROE at -45.27% and AstraZeneca's ROE at 16.80%.

Retail Investors:

Retail investors often consider stock affordability and company familiarity. For example, day low prices are $57.12 for Moderna and $77.42 for AstraZeneca. Over the past year, Moderna's prices ranged from $55.70 to $170.47, with a yearly change of 206.05%. AstraZeneca's prices fluctuated between $60.47 and $87.68, with a yearly change of 45.00%. Brand recognition also plays a role, as familiarity with a company can influence investment decisions.